Sarah to keep date with men’s cricket

Monday 14 January 2013 14:30 BST

Sarah Taylor could break new ground in sport this summer by playing men’s cricket for Sussex.

The England wicketkeeper, generally regarded as one of the finest players in the history of women’s cricket, has an unofficial arrangement with Sussex that she will play for their second XI if they find themselves without a gloveman.

National women’s coach Mark Lane is behind the attempts to push Taylor into men’s cricket.

Taylor told the Guardian: “Part of me knows it would be phenomenal, but there’s part of me doubting myself. I’ve just got to start believing in myself a little bit more.

“But I would love to do it. It would be such a challenge — facing a bigger ball and bigger bowlers [the ball used in women’s cricket is slightly smaller in circumference and weighs a little less].

“But I’d have to look at myself after the second XI games and say: ‘Can you handle this?’

“Mark is trying to get me a lot of men’s cricket which can only help my game.”

No date has yet been set for Taylor to play for Sussex and discussions are still thought to be at an early stage, but the 23-year-old confirmed she would play men’s club cricket for Walmley in the Birmingham and District Premier League during the summer.

Meanwhile, England’s men will attempt to take a 2-0 lead over India in Kochi in the second game of their five-match one-day international series tomorrow.